Re: filmscanners: Grain in Color negative Film

[Michael Moore <miguelmas@qwest.net>]

Bob: I am replying to you on list since the topic is germane to scanning and we
need something besides a flame war that may be developing... My opinion is
anything but expert since my hands on knowledge of the wide universe of
presently available films is limited to just a few types (Reala, Fuji NPS and
NPL, Velvia, Kodachrome, Ilford XP 2 and Delta 100) The reason I use Reala is
that it has a built in filtration layer to counter the effects of flourescent
lights and is an excellent film to use when shooting under mixed (tungsten,
flourescent, daylight) conditions without filters. It is also, AFAIK, the
finest grained of Fuji's family of 35mm films... someone posted a link to a
comparison table of color neg films that seemed top bear this out, plus showed
that it scored higher that all of Kodak's emulsions except for the Royal Gold
25...  As far as a comparison with transparencies, I can't say... I used to
shoot Kodachrome exclusively ( I was  Jay Maisel acolyte for years) for its
fine grain when you enlarged to high magniifications... I have blown up Reala
negs to 20 x 24 and they hold up very well... as long as shot on a tripod... I
understand Velvia holds up beautifully... again, I think the lab plays a
part... theoretically, the processes are the same, but I think that different
labs use chemistry from different manufacturers, not mention how anal one lab
may be in comparison to another when it comes to Q.C. When I ran a B/W custom
lab, we learned that the PhotoFlo dilution was the key to getting strreak and
dust free negs... not the dilution that Kodak recommended, but a different
one... I think the better these scanners get, the more we'll all be paying
attention to the film and processing we use....

Mike Moore


Bob Kehl wrote:

> Michael,
>
> An off line question if you don't mind.  I've changed to shooting negatives
> instead of slide film because of the increased exposure latitude and therby
> increased dynamic range.  I've been researching Kodak's site to determine
> film grain characteristics.  I've concluded that iso 100, at least in their
> Supra line of film, is still less grainy than iso 400. But it seems as
> though slide films use a different rating system.  How does slide flim
> compare grain wise to negs.? Also, what in particular do you like about
> Reala?  The grain or the color or???
> Thanks for your expert opinion.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Bob Kehl
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Michael Moore <miguelmas@qwest.net>
> To: <filmscanners@halftone.co.uk>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2001 10:45 PM
> Subject: filmscanners: Grain in Color negative Film
>
> > I shoot Fuji Reala 35mm and scan with a Minolta Svan Elite into PShop
> > 6...
> > I have discovered something I already knew, but now that I have had my
> > eyes rubbed in it, I am definitely changing my habits.. I am referring
> > to grain... specifically the grain you see when you shoot a broad
> > expanse of any even toned area, such as a cream colored wall or a light
> > blue sky... I have been scanning and printing out 8x10 prints of some
> > interiors I shot for an architect client... I discovered that the shots
> > I had the least (as in almost no) trouble concerning grain and spots,
> > stains, etc. were froim the negs that a top quality custom lab
> > processed... same subject, same film but a "good" one hour mini lab gave
> > me negs that 1. showed definitely more grain in the large wall areas...
> > 2. had more trouble with microscopic spots that only show up when you
> > examine the scan at pixel magnification 3. had streaks and stains, again
> > too small to detect on a 4x6 print or with the naked eye, but definitely
> > visible
> >
> > My Point? We had a discussion on this forum last fall, and I just wanted
> > to remind everyone... we are scanning film... same rules apply in this
> > game as in the darkroon prints game... the film processing is the key to
> > everything that happens afterward... if at all possible, have your film
> > processed by a good Custom Lab... not a mall mini lab... the difference
> > in your negs will be like night and day.. and you won't have to worry as
> > much about ICE and GEM and ROC.... :)
> > my 2 pesos...
> >
> > Mike M.
> >